About Thomas Ernst

Prof. Dr. Thomas Ernst conducts research on modern German-language literature and culture at the University of Antwerp. He obtained his PhD at the University of Trier (summa cum laude) and his Habilitation at the University of Duisburg-Essen (venia legendi: Germanistische Medienkulturwissenschaft). He has also worked as a researcher or visiting scholar at, among others, Columbia University in the City of New York, the University of Luxembourg, and the University of Amsterdam.

His research focuses on the construction of identities, images of Germany and Europe, multilingualism and transcultural spaces in German-language literature; on experimental and subversive German-language writing of the 20th and 21st centuries; and on digital media transformation and its cultural effects (literature and social media, copyright, and digital publishing).

He is the author of Popliteratur (2001/2005), Literatur und Subversion (2013), and co-author of Rammsteins “Deutschland” (2022), as well as numerous papers in international peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, including work on #Netzliteraturwissenschaft (2022). He currently directs the research project Digital Literary Writing Processes: Concepts and Practices in the German-Speaking Countries.

Ernst has worked as a researcher, organiser, or reviewer for institutions such as the DFG, FWO, FNR, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He was a member of Global Young Faculty III (2013–2015) and has served as an academic advisor for the Hans Böckler Foundation.

He is a researcher affiliated with the Antwerp Centre for Digital Humanities and Literary Criticism, co-founder of the DHd Working Group on Digital Publishing, and, within the University of Antwerp, a member of the Library Council, the Board of Governors of the Institute of Jewish Studies, and team Deutschcafé.

Department

• Department of Literature

Statute & functions

Zelfstandig academisch pers.

• associate professor

Internal mandates

expertenorgaan expertenmandaat

• Bibliotheekcommissie Faculteit Letteren & Wijsbeg. (effectief stemgerechtigd lid)
• Bibliotheekraad Universiteit Antwerpen (effectief stemgerechtigd lid)

bestuursorgaan bestuursmandaat

• Departementsraad Letterkunde (effectief stemgerechtigd lid)
• Onderwijscommissie Educatieve Master Talen (effectief stemgerechtigd lid)
• Onderwijscommissie Taal-en Letterkunde (effectief stemgerechtigd lid)